Friends Church Calgary Weekly Message

Speaker: Vince KlassenWhat happens when the faith that once fit… doesn't anymore?Many of us were taught that religion is one-size-fits-all. Believe the same things. Follow the same rules. Stay in line.But what happens when you start to notice things are a little off? When questions won't go away and answers don't work anymore? When the experience that brings peace to others no longer works for you?This talk tells a story many quietly carry: we call it The Meadow and the Ledge - a journey of doubt, deconstruction, anger, grief, and courage. It explores why leaving certainty doesn't mean failure, why different people need different things, and why the Bible itself resists simple, universal answers.We'll revisit Friends Church's manifesto—Taking Water, story over certainty, and honoring unique spiritual journeys—and name the inner voices that try to shame us back into places we no longer fit.Whether you still love the Meadow, are standing at the edge, hanging on the Cliff, or threw it all away long ago, or are having a party on the Ledge this talk offers language, compassion, and permission to be where you are.You're not broken.Your journey isn't wrong.And you don't have to do it alone.Come on out to Church on the LedgeDonate to Friends ChurchTo donate to this podcast and support the making of more of these please visit https://friendschurch.ca/podcast

Speakers: Vince KlassenMany of us grew up in a Christian tradition that left a mark (even if we didn't grow up in it, the influence of the Christian tradition has snuck into us from the people around us).Sometimes it was subtle. Sometimes it was loud.Shame around sex. Guilt about desire. Fear about who we are, how we love, or whether we even belong in a church at all.  Sadly, this list could go on forever.And that is still in us: the leftover voices, rules, and fears that still follow us, long after we've left those traditions behind.This isn't about defending Christianity—or tearing it down.It's about telling the truth: that religion is powerful. Powerful enough to wound. Powerful enough to heal. Powerful enough to keep us stuck in shame—or move us toward lives of health, connection, and purpose.If you've ever felt hurt by church, unsure about faith, or curious whether religion can still be a force for good—this talk is for you.Donate to Friends ChurchTo donate to this podcast and support the making of more of these please visit https://friendschurch.ca/podcast

Speakers: Vince KlassenTaking Water its in this thing called (transcendent) WeRecently I had an experience that's stayed with me. I was running with a group near the Talisman Centre by the river. It was –10°C when we noticed a man standing under the bridge. At first, no big deal—until I saw he was wearing only a t-shirt. Then I noticed he had just one shoe.I felt the pull to keep running. To assume there was a reason he was there. That someone else would help. I've been in moments like that before—and I didn't stop.Friends Church exists to inspire a healthy spirituality that Takes Water to the world around us. All around us. Even to that man under the bridge. It asks us to take those moments seriously—to stop and help if we can, and if we can't, to reflect on why.Are we too busy? Is our life in chaos? Do we lack the support to support others? Is a Part of us giving a perfectly reasonable excuse to keep going?This week, as we begin exploring Our Manifesto, we look Taking Water in the eye—why we offer it sometimes, why we don't at others, and what it means when we feel like we're the ones who need Water.Join us—not for shame or guilt, but for a deep and honest exploration of Taking Water, and how it shapes both us and the world around us.Donate to Friends ChurchTo donate to this podcast and support the making of more of these please visit https://friendschurch.ca/podcast

Two Sundays - the end of an era, and the beginning of the next.This Sunday, Vince's on the Hotseat. Ask him those questions you've always wanted to ask - but maybe never had the chance or nerve to.Bryce (aka Bad Boy with a Heart of Gold) is back in the host chair, putting your questions front and center.  He'll be hitting him with real questions submitted by you—no topic off-limits, no question too bold.We're talking theology, life, relationships, doubts, weird Bible passages, church culture—whatever's been on your mind.Let's make them sweat—for all the right reasons. Don't miss PASTOR ON THE HOTSEATDonate to Friends ChurchTo donate to this podcast and support the making of more of these please visit https://friendschurch.ca/podcast

Speakers: Bryce Lokken & Jeff JarvisTwo Sundays - the end of an era, and the beginning of the next.This Sunday is Jeff's Last Sunday at Friends Church so you can ask him whatever you've always wanted to know about him.Bryce (aka Bad Boy with a Heart of Gold) is back in the host chair, putting your questions front and center.  He'll be hitting him with real questions submitted by you—no topic off-limits, no question too bold.We're talking theology, life, relationships, doubts, weird Bible passages, church culture—whatever's been on your mind.Let's make them sweat—for all the right reasons.Don't miss PASTOR ON THE HOTSEATBring a friend and join us in the Gym this Sunday.Donate to Friends ChurchTo donate to this podcast and support the making of more of these please visit https://friendschurch.ca/podcast

Speaker:  Jeff JarvisDeep down, most of us already know at least one change we long to make. Yet as Vince has been unpacking, it's often not a lack of desire or effort that holds us back—but unseen forces within us that cause us to hesitate, resist, or quietly pull away.If you've ever felt caught between what's stirring in your deepest self and the inner voices that question, warn, or overwhelm you, you're not alone. This week, we'll explore how to recognize and respond to those subtle forces that surface when real change begins. We'll consider what actually helps us move forward when willpower isn't enough — when discernment calls for something deeper than simply trying harder.This isn't about fixing yourself. It's an invitation to listen more closely, to gently notice what's happening beneath the surface, and to take steps that usher in the next chapter of your spiritual evolution.Invite a friend and join us this Sunday!Donate to Friends ChurchTo donate to this podcast and support the making of more of these please visit https://friendschurch.ca/podcast

Changing is hard—really hard. But it isn't impossible.Last week we explored why New Year's resolutions (and most attempts at change) fail: our internal systems are designed to keep us exactly where we are. For many of us, that realization was eye-opening.So the next question is obvious: what should we actually change?Which goals lead to real health—and which are driven by the Parts of us that keep us stuck?Going to the gym six days a week sounds healthy… but is it? Or is it fueled by shame or the need to look different?Cutting out certain foods forever—sustainable change, or a setup for quitting?It doesn't take long to realize this: the goals we choose matter. A lot.So how do you choose goals that lead to genuine health? How do you know they're coming from healthy Parts of you, not the ones working against you?This week, we're sharing a new framework—developed by one of our own—who literally helps people choose the right goals for a living.Join us. By the end of this conversation, you'll feel more confident—and far healthier—about the changes you want to make.Donate to Friends ChurchTo donate to this podcast and support the making of more of these please visit https://friendschurch.ca/podcast

Big holidays spark motivation. New Year's especially.And yet… most resolutions fade fast. We joke about it because we've lived it.But why do they fail?And more importantly—how do we finally make them work?This week we're talking about what really derails resolutions (hint: it's not willpower) and how to harness this season's momentum toward real, healthy change.Join us as we begin a roadmap to Evolve into the people we want to be.To donate to this podcast and support the making of more of these please visit www.friendschurch.ca/donateDonate to Friends ChurchTo donate to this podcast and support the making of more of these please visit https://friendschurch.ca/podcast

Over the years, Christian traditions have built different walls around their castles of faith—each convinced they've got it right, and everyone else has it wrong. It's strange, really, that so many walls exist around the same story.But when we read the Bible closely, we discover things happening outside those walls—stories and actions many traditions would call unacceptable. There's one sitting right in the Christmas story itself.So what do we do with that?Do we ignore the biblical accounts?Filter them through our traditions?Dismiss what doesn't fit inside our castle walls?I don't think so.Instead, it's worth reading the stories as they're told—and wrestling honestly with what they invite into our spiritual lives - even if the stories challenge the walls we inherited.That's what we're doing this week: exploring the Christmas story, regardless of whether they fit inside some traditions' walls. Last week it was the exiled shepherds. This week, it's the "wise men".It's going to be a freeing conversation—I promise!Donate to Friends ChurchTo donate to this podcast and support the making of more of these please visit https://friendschurch.ca/podcast

The shepherds were the last people anyone expected to be part of the story—they were living on the margins, working the night shift while everyone else slept, never invited to the events around them.  OutsidersAnd yet… they're the first ones invited.In the middle of the darkness, they're the ones who hear the news. The ones who run toward something they can't fully explain. The ones who show up—curious, uncertain, hopeful.This Christmas, we're turning our attention to them—the ones who never imagined they'd be included. We'll explore their world, their courage, and what their story might be whispering to ours. This is the beautiful part of the Christmas Story, its not just a story from the past, it's our stories if we are open to hearing it!Join us for Christmas from the Ledge—a Christmas for (and about) people who don't fit traditional church.Donate to Friends ChurchTo donate to this podcast and support the making of more of these please visit https://friendschurch.ca/podcast

Every year, we gather the remarkable stories emerging from our community—stories of people “Taking Water,” showing up with compassion, generosity, and a willingness to invest themselves in the lives of others without expectation. These stories highlight everyday individuals living out quiet courage, humble service, and extraordinary impact.Join us again this year for a morning of inspiration as we honour those who have embodied this spirit in meaningful and memorable ways. Come hear the stories that lift us, challenge us, and remind us of the heart of Friends Church—cultivating a healthy spirituality that Takes Water into our world.To donate to this podcast and support the making of more of these please visit www.friendschurch.ca/donateDonate to Friends ChurchTo donate to this podcast and support the making of more of these please visit https://friendschurch.ca/podcast

Walk into any cathedral in the world and chances are you'll feel something.For me, it's often a sense of Something More.After a conversation with an architect in our community, I'm realizing just how much our spaces shape us—how they influence our sense of spirituality, our connection to Something More, the Divine, "God.”But many of us move through our lives without using our spaces intentionally. This week, we're going to begin exploring how to design the kinds of spaces—big or small—that open us up, ground us, and invite us into that deeper connection.Donate to Friends ChurchTo donate to this podcast and support the making of more of these please visit https://friendschurch.ca/podcast

This Sunday, I'm having an honest conversation with someone who's facing a reality most of us try not to think about: our time on this earth is limited. Every week, someone somewhere says goodbye to someone they love—and it's never easy. Even thinking about our own mortality can feel scary.But throughout history, spiritual traditions have suggested that facing this truth can actually bring clarity and depth to our lives. This weekend, we're exploring the unexpected gifts that wrestling with the brevity of life brings.Gerry has been incredibly open about his journey, and his reflections have already impacted so many in our community. Hearing what he has to say will likely shift the way you look at your own life—and help you develop a more intentional practice of presence.Invite a friend and join us this Sunday at the Spiritual Gym.Donate to Friends ChurchTo donate to this podcast and support the making of more of these please visit https://friendschurch.ca/podcast

Across cultures and centuries, people have turned to certain natural substances in search of something beyond themselves — healing, meaning, perhaps even an encounter with the divine.Now, modern science is circling back to explore what ancient wisdom seemed to already know and it's wild!!What might the latest research be revealing about potential roles psychedelics can play in one's spirituality?Join us this Sunday for an open, thoughtful conversation that just might expand how you see spirituality itself.Come curious. Come open.For further information, please refer to the following links:Johns Hopkins Medicine | Psychedelic Treatment with Psilocybin Relieves Major Depression, Study Shows: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/newsroom/news-releases/2020/11/psychedelic-treatment-with-psilocybin-relieves-major-depression-study-showsResearch Gate | Subjective Reports of the Effects of MDMA in a Clinical Setting: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/20275204_Subjective_Reports_of_the_Effects_of_MDMA_in_a_Clinical_SettingTed Talk - The future of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy | Rick Doblin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9XD8yRPxc8Andrew Huberman on why he changed his mind on the topic of psychedelics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkIXevEsupQHow Psilocybin Can Rewire Our Brain, Its Therapeutic Benefits & Its Risks | Huberman Lab Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIxVfln02SsDonate to Friends ChurchTo donate to this podcast and support the making of more of these please visit https://friendschurch.ca/podcast

Speaker: Jeff JarvisHow often do you let yourself truly enjoy life's pleasures? Do you ever feel guilty for spending time or money simply to delight in something good? I'll admit—sometimes I do.Throughout history, the topic of pleasure has been a bit awkward within traditional Christianity. Many of us were warned about “the desires of the flesh” and told that things which excite the senses could lead us astray. And yes, sometimes they do.But deep down, we're wired with a longing to experience pleasure—healthy, life-giving pleasure. Even Scripture affirms this truth. For every story of pleasure gone wrong, there are stories where moments of joy, beauty, or intimacy became encounters with the sacred.So how do we cultivate a healthy spiritual relationship with pleasure—one that brings us closer to the divine rather than further away?Let's talk about it this Sunday.To donate to this podcast and support the making of more of these please visit www.friendschurch.ca/donateDonate to Friends ChurchTo donate to this podcast and support the making of more of these please visit https://friendschurch.ca/podcast

Speaker: Vince KlassenThere's one thing in life that ranks right up there with death and taxes - change.This past week we shared that Friends Church will be changing too, with Jeff stepping away to pursue a new career managing a golf resort (fun fact: his formal training is actually in Turf Management!).So what do we do with change—especially when it's not the change we wanted? How do we make peace with it, or even grow from it? How do we navigate it when everything in us says its wrong?This Sunday wraps up our Bible: Much Assembly Required series. Throughout this journey, we've invited us all to rethink how we see the Bible—and that's a big change for many of us.But with the right mental framing, hard changes can often get a little easier - both changes in how we view the Bible and in how we navigate change in our lives.Join us as we close out this incredible series with practical insights from both our spiritual ancestors and modern research on how to navigate change well.Donate to Friends ChurchTo donate to this podcast and support the making of more of these please visit https://friendschurch.ca/podcast

This week we announced the resignation of one of our Lead Pastors - Jeff Jarvis.We spent some time learning what is next for Jeff and his family and where Friends Church 2.0 came from.Finally, we looked at the core of Friends Church found in each of us that calls it home.Please see below the letter from our Board Chairperson and Jeff's letter of Resignation.As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out.Here's to the next chapter of the Friends Church story-Vincevince@friendschurch.caorchair@friendschurch.caFriends Church CommunityIt is with mixed emotions that we, the Board, have accepted Jeff's resignation.  You can see his note below.  As one of the founding pastors of Friends Church we are all deeply indebted to the Water he has Taken to us all as he's inspired our unique spiritual journeys.Jeff and Vince will announce his resignation this Sunday so be sure to attend to hear about his new opportunity and how he plans to integrate that with his own unique spirituality.  Vince and our team will work with him over the next few months to transition him well.  His final day will be January 25th, and we will have a community lunch after the service so we can all say our goodbyes.Know that Vince and the Board are committed to the health and sustainability of Friends Church going forward.  Like you, we don't fit church, and we believe in our core that the world needs a Friends Church - we need a Friends Church - going forward.  Things won't change much other than we won't have Jeff around, but we will still do everything we can to inspire you all to a healthy spirituality that Takes Water to the world!  That's our commitment to you!Thanks all.  Please reach out to Vince or myself with any questions or concerns.Brad BrewsterBoard Chairperson, Friends Church___________________________________________________________________________To the Board Members of Friends Church,With mixed emotions, I'm tendering my resignation as Co-Lead Pastor of Friends Church.It's hard to believe it's been over 28 years since Cathy and I, along with a few close friends, launched this community. Over those years, we've witnessed countless stories of spiritual growth and life transformation. We're so proud to have been part of it all, which makes this decision bittersweet.I've recently accepted a position as General Manager of a golf course and RV resort in Sundre — an opportunity that will allow Cathy and I to work and play together in this next season of life.  Though we're sad to say goodbye to Friends Church, this is an opportunity that we're very excited about.After thoughtful discussion with Vince, I'm planning for my final Sunday to be January 25th, allowing time for a smooth transition and the chance to say goodbye to so many dear friends and volunteers.Though I won't be around in person, I'll continue to tune in online and carry the spirit of Taking Water wherever I go.  I'll also support Friends Church in any way I can…because the world needs a Friends Church!Thank you for the incredible privilege of serving alongside you all. It's been one of the greatest honours and joys of my life.With gratitude and love,JeffDonate to Friends ChurchTo donate to this podcast and support the making of more of these please visit https://friendschurch.ca/podcast

Through this series, we're taking an honest look at the Bible. So far, we've set aside our assumptions and begun seeing it as a Wisdom text rather than an owner's manual—one that honors its Ancient, Ambiguous, and Diverse origins. This week, we'll focus on the Bible's Diversity and explore a key question: what does it really mean for the Bible to be “inspired by God”? Does the Bible claim that for itself? And if not, how might that change how we see and value it in our lives?Join us this week as we continue reconstructing our understandings of the Bible.Donate to Socks for People Experiencing Homelessness Donate to Friends ChurchTo donate to this podcast and support the making of more of these please visit https://friendschurch.ca/podcast

Many of us grew up in faith traditions that took the Bible's rules very seriously. For some, breaking one meant rejection or judgment — sometimes even exile from family or community. Some biblical laws still seem to make deep sense today. Others… not so much.So how do we tell the difference in 2025? Can we really choose which spiritual laws still apply?Join us this Sunday as we wrestle with these honest questions and explore what wise, compassionate faith looks like in our world today.Bring a friend — you won't want to miss this one.Donate to Socks for People Experiencing Homelessness Donate to Friends ChurchTo donate to this podcast and support the making of more of these please visit https://friendschurch.ca/podcast

Many pick up the Bible expecting a rulebook or instruction manual for life—only to be puzzled by its ancient language, strange stories, and even some contradictions.This week at Friends, we're exploring why this “Instruction Manual” expectation of the Bible can create problems. Instead, we want to show you a way of using it that actually works: not by giving us ready-made answers, but by training us to read the moments we're in to discern real wisdom for today.Donate to Socks for People Experiencing Homelessness Donate to Friends ChurchTo donate to this podcast and support the making of more of these please visit https://friendschurch.ca/podcast

The Bible has been called many things:The Word of God.Inspired scripture.A holy book.An owner's manual for life.A roadmap.A moral compass.A revelation of Jesus Christ.God's self-disclosure.But these are all ideas—metaphors.So what is the Bible, physically?Where did it come from?What is it made of?How did it become the book we hold today?This week we launch a new series: The Bible: Much Assembly Required. We'll start by unpacking what the Bible actually is, so we can begin building (or rebuilding) a vision of it that has the power to change lives.Join us as we set the stage for a fresh, exciting conversation about the Bible.To donate to this podcast and support the making of more of these please visit https://friendschurch.ca/podcast

At Friends Church, our mission is simple: to inspire us to Take Water to our world. One way we can Take Water is to Love our Neighbours in ways that truly make life better for them and us.That's easy when people look, think, and live like us. But most of the world doesn't. And if we're going to love our neighbours well, we need to know them—what they need, what they value, and what love looks like to them.This Sunday we are going to meet a member of our community that is Trans and identifies as Non-binary meaning they might identify as one of the 2 main genders - male or female - but most often don't identify with either.We want to get to known their unique experience so we can learn to love them, and many like them, more skillfully.Join us this week for a mind opening perspective on the world from someone who transitioned while staying married. Its a love story on so many levels.Bring a friend and join us in the Gym this Sunday.To donate to this podcast and support the making of more of these please visit https://friendschurch.ca/podcast

Speaker: Jeff Jarvis Over the years, I've heard countless explanations of spirituality—and honestly, I've become a bit skeptical when the word is thrown around too loosely. When it can mean anything, it starts to feel like it means nothing.At Friends Church, we believe spirituality should be more than a vague idea. We're passionate about what we call healthy spirituality—a way of living that actually refreshes your soul and brings life to the world around you, like water soaking into dry ground. It's not just about feeling better; it's connected to something bigger, deeper, and more meaningful in our world.This Sunday, I want to unpack where this idea of healthy spirituality comes from—and how you can start cultivating it in your own life.Bring a friend and join us in the Gym this Sunday.To donate to this podcast and support the making of more of these please visit https://friendschurch.ca/podcast

Speaker: Vince KlassenDoes it feel like our world is more divided than ever? Every conversation, every headline, every debate seems charged—like it's no longer just about differences, but about winning or losing. One group against another. Us versus them.  A World DividedIt leaves us wondering: is this just the way things are now? Or is there a way back to feeling like we're in this together again?At Friends Church, we don't believe division is disappearing anytime soon. But we do believe there's a better way to live in the midst of it—one that requires spiritual presence, wisdom, and skill.This week we're launching a 2-part series: A Life With Purpose. Together, we'll explore how to navigate the fractures around us without losing our center—and even become a healing presence in the process.Don't miss this opportunity to start the fall season with clarity, courage, and hope.See you at the Spiritual Gym!To donate to this podcast and support the making of more of these please visit https://friendschurch.ca/podcast

Speakers: Vince Klassen Does it feel like our world is more divided than ever? Every conversation, every headline, every debate seems charged—like it's no longer just about differences, but about...

Speakers: Jeff Jarvis and Mike Hanson At Friends Church, our mission is simple: to inspire you to Take Water to your World. “Taking Water” can look different in each of our lives. Sometimes...

Speakers: Jeff Jarvis What happens when you spend large amounts of time and effort chasing the approval of others but somehow lose parts of yourself in the process? This weekend,...

Speakers: Vince Klassen I read a quote recently: “Mother: One person who does the work of twenty—for free.” For many, this couldn't be more true. From carrying us for nine...

Speakers: Vince Klassen We've all had them—relationships that just aren't great. Maybe one part works, but the rest feels heavy, even toxic. So when is it okay to let go?...

Speakers: David Hill Here are moments when life leaves us feeling empty. We chased education, expecting a better career, only to end up disillusioned. We married believing it would bring...

Speakers: Jeff Jarvis Last week, World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler surprised many when he confessed that, even after 17 PGA wins and $90 million in prize money, his success...

Speakers: Vince Klassen It always starts with a moment—the tension between what I need and what They need. Whether it's a parent with a child, a stranger at Stampede, or...

Speakers: Vince Klassen Recently, someone sat me down and simply said, “I'm lonely.” They work from home and barely see anyone in person. Another just ended a relationship and now...

Speakers: Jeff Jarvis “Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose.” — Viktor Frankl A deeper sense of meaning and purpose can feel...

Speakers: Jeff Jarvis Life can get noisy. Fast. Confusing. Every day, decisions with serious consequences get made, with some returning later to haunt us. Wouldn't it be great to have...

Speakers: Vince Klassen What does Jesus have to do with politics? More than we often admit. In a world where political talk tears us apart, we're diving in—feet first—to ask:...

Speakers: Vince Klassen Life moves fast—and not always for the wrong reasons. Kids' sports ramp up. A work project lands unexpectedly. School deadlines pile on. Before we know it, we're...

Speakers: Jeff Jarvis Despite having lived over 2000 years ago, this man named Jesus continues to be one of the most inspirational and influential humans to have walked the earth....

Speakers: Vince Klassen Tariffs. Inflation. Recession. Soaring prices—eggs, gas, housing, groceries. The financial hits just keep coming. It feels heavier than years past. Are we prepared for where this is...

Speakers: Jeff Jarvis Why is it that some people always seem to fixate on what may be wrong, even when life may be going well? When was the last time...

Speakers: Vince Klassen Do we see the world as it truly is—or through a lens that distorts it? And if our perception is shaped, how does that alter the way...

Speakers: Jeff Jarvis Have your feelings ever led you astray? Every day we can find ourselves in situations that stir up strong emotions within us that cause us to react: Screaming,...

Speakers: Vince Klassen Why do we so often see complex, nuanced issues as simple? Black or White Yes or No Us versus Them I notice it in myself—especially when I'm...

In a time of political division, financial uncertainty, and nonstop headlines, it's easy to swing between extremes—panicking that everything is falling apart, or minimizing it all just to cope. But...

Speakers: Vince Klassen & Jeff JarvisCelebrate the powerful new life that emerges when we open ourselves to the divine wisdom speaking within. What is it saying to you—and are you...

Speakers: Jeff Jarvis & Mexico Team   A few weeks ago, a dedicated team from Friends Church—students, parents, and adults—embarked on a life-changing journey to Tijuana, Mexico. Together, they partnered...

Speakers: Vince Klassen & Kyla Anderson Have you ever noticed that some of the most religious people can also be the most judgmental, unkind, or even cruel? Scroll through the comments...

Speakers: Vince Klassen What if our spiritual practices and ideals are stopping us from doing the work to really heal? Richard Schwartz, the founder of Internal Family Systems, which we...